Out on the bread runWritten by Craig McGinty
BREAD has an almost mythical status in France so a chance to go out on daily delivery run could not be missed. Marie Ange Lavoix was to be my guide and as we loaded up van, with still warm loaves, she also checked over her route. It was to take in surrounding villages, schools and farms with a longer stop at Villefranche du Périgord. “The bread is different compared to regular bread as it keeps fresh for longer,” Marie Ange explained. “This comes about from baking process so it means that many of homes will buy a loaf every couple of days.” As we hit road you could hear bread crusts crackling as they slowly cooled in back of van. But it also means that inside van it is warm, useful in winter but a problem during long hot summers. Soon we disappear up a single-track lane into woods and discovered a small cottage or group of farm buildings. And with a beep of horn someone would pop out of house and pay a couple of Euro for a large loaf, which measures about 18 inches. “Many of people we deliver to have been buying bread off us for years so they know they are going to get good quality,” Marie Ange said. “But times are changing and younger people especially, don’t buy their bread from boulanger they just visit supermarket every week.”
| | A summer weddingWritten by Craig McGinty
THE sunshine had come out to ensure wedding of footballer Benji and his wife-to-be Sabine had perfect backdrop. For month before excitement had been growing amongst players and supporters of St Cernin de l’Herm, a village in south west of France, as day came ever closer. We had already been out for a meal and made bride and groom walk around restaurant whilst eating a banana – with no hands. A large poster of team picture had been printed and everyone had signed it and written a good luck message. So by Saturday afternoon junction of small crossroads in Frayssinet-le-Gélet was busy with people waiting for Benji and Sabine to walk by. In France many wedding ceremonies will take place in village Mairie and then move on to local church for a blessing. And we were lucky that two buildings were close by so that a short procession through village could take place. As we waited friends spread out cuttings from roses and other bushes across pavement on route bride and groom would take to church. This is meant to bring couple good luck and fortune and in other areas of France neighbours will lay down sheaves of corn. Then moment arrived as couple stood at top of steps outside Mairie and slowly made their way to church, escorted by their parents. Traffic came to a standstill as procession of guests followed behind and walked 150 meters to church. In afternoon sunshine people slowly made their way into church filling up pews and taking up positions in aisle for chance to take a picture. Once everyone was inside, and we must have numbered 200 or more, bride and groom slowly made their way through church. Camera flashes lit up dark entranceway as couple made their way along aisle; organist played a tune that softly filled church.
|
